How to downgrade the Galaxy S5 from Lollipop to KitKat
If you've updated your Galaxy S5 to Android 5.0 Lollipop and are now experiencing some Lollipop problems on the Galaxy S5 which have made you want to downgrade back to KitKat, we can show just how easy it is to downgrade the Galaxy S5 from Android 5.0 Lollipop to Android 4.4 KitKat in a snap.
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Important: While the procedure is the same for everyone, depending on which carrier-branded (or international) model Galaxy S5 you have, the firmware you download will be different. Select the firmware for the exact model number of your phone. Some Galaxy S5's were on Android 4.4.4 KitKat and others were on Android 4.4.2 KitKat before updating to Lollipop.
Go to Settings > About Device to see your model number and make sure you download the latest KitKat firmware for your specific device.
Prerequisites:
- Download the Galaxy S5 firmware for your particular model onto your PC. (Follow the link and enter your model number, find the most recent version of Android (or the one you want to downgrade to) and download the zip file to your computer.)
- Download Samsung drivers on your PC (if you don't already have them installed).
- Download Odin v3.09 (on your PC).
- Charge your Galaxy S5 battery to 80%.
- Enable USB Debugging in Settings > Developer Options. (If you don't already have Developer Options enabled, go to Settings > About Phone and tap Build Number until you see the notification that you now have developer access.)
How to downgrade Galaxy S5 from Lollipop to KitKat
1. Make sure you have done a full backup of your apps and data via Samsung Kies or another backup program or app. We recommend Helium for a full backup on your PC without requiring root access.
2. Extract the zipped firmware you downloaded for your particular Galaxy S5.
3. Turn off your Galaxy S5 and reboot in Download Mode (press Power, Home and Volume Down until you see the Android on its back and the ''Warning!'' message). Press Volume Up to proceed and enter Download Mode (aka Odin Mode).
4. Launch Odin on your PC.
5. Connect your Galaxy S5 to your PC with a USB cable and wait for Odin to recognize it. You should see the ID:COM box turn blue. If your S5 isn't recognized, make sure you have the necessary Samsung drivers installed and try again.
6. Make sure that only ''Auto-Reboot'' and "F.Reset Time'' are checked in Odin.
7. Ensure that ''Re-Partition'' is NOT CHECKED.
8. Click the AP box in Odin and navigate to the tar.md5 file from the unzipped firmware you downloaded earlier. Again, make sure you have the right firmware for your model Galaxy S5!
9. Click ''Start'' in Odin and sit back, relax and let Odin do its thing. It might take a while. Do not disconnect or turn off your Galaxy S5.
10. You will see a green ''PASS'' message when the firmware has been installed correctly.
11. Your Galaxy S5 should now reboot and be running the version of Android KitKat to which you decided to downgrade.
Troubleshooting
If you encounter a boot loop (your Galaxy S5 gets stuck while restarting), you can turn it off, then press and hold Volume Up, Power and Home to enter recovery and clear the cache partition – use the volume keys to scroll and Power button to confirm.
If this still doesn't work, you can do a factory reset (wipe data) from recovery. This is where doing that backup earlier comes in handy.
Your Galaxy S5 should now restart with Android KitKat back on board. You can restore your apps and data from your backup and carry on as usual with lovely safe KitKat.
Are you happy to be back on KitKat? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.
people on xda are telling me that samsung has implemented new security stopping me from downgrading id like to try but dont wanna brick my phone .. 6.1 marshmallow model G900W8 csc videotron carrier freedom mobile ... any thoughts on this model number guys world be great im currently rooted with cf autoroot knox tripped setbit warranty.... i want kitkat back can i do it????
So, I did everything this said step by step and onden said failed and not passed so i can't finish the last steps, please help
Very helpful ... Thank you so much :)
It's been more than 24 hours still stuck at
<ID:0/003> Added!!
<ID:0/003> Removed!!
<ID:0/005> Added!!
<ID:0/005> Removed!!
<ID:0/014> Added!!
<OSM> Enter CS for MD5..
<OSM> Check MD5.. Do not unplug the cable..
<OSM> Please wait..
<OSM> G900HXXU1ANG3_G900HOLB1ANG1_G900HXXU1ANG3_HOME.tar.md5 is valid.
<OSM> Checking MD5 finished Sucessfully..
<OSM> Leave CS..
<ID:0/014> Odin v.3 engine (ID:14)..
<ID:0/014> File analysis..
<ID:0/014> SetupConnection..
<ID:0/014> Initialzation..
<ID:0/014> Get PIT for mapping..
<ID:0/014> Firmware update start..
<ID:0/014> SingleDownload.
<ID:0/014> sboot.bin
<ID:0/014> NAND Write Start!!
<ID:0/014> boot.img
<ID:0/014> recovery.img
<ID:0/014> system.img
Is this normal?
Accidentally my phone was unplug, now the screen wouldn't show up no vibrate of life. But I plug again on the PC and connect to Odin, start it again and hope will done.
I followed all the steps and ended up with a FAIL. I have a Galaxy S5 G900A from AT&T. Any thoughts?
Same here. No luck so far.
I followed every step and Odin says i successfully flashed the firmware; however, I ended up in a bootloop and factory resetting my phone doesn't fix it :( i cleared the cache in recovery mode as well and nothing. Help please
I just got the update to Lollypop, it was postponed but for some reason if updated and did not update Google services..completely broke my phone crashes throws me off FB and won't work all the time..I am getting rid of my cell now, because if this Hate Lollypop Miss my Kit Kat, it was the easiest and best, please FIx everything the way it was befire the lollypop update..We all want the memory SD and removable battery, back!!!
Everything worked until i pressed start. I have a Samsung Galaxy S5 G900V from verizon. It failed and this was the error message- <ID:0/004> Odin v.3 engine (ID:4)..
<ID:0/004> File analysis..
<ID:0/004> SetupConnection..
<ID:0/004> Initialzation..
<ID:0/004> Get PIT for mapping..
<ID:0/004> Firmware update start..
<ID:0/004> SingleDownload.
<ID:0/004> aboot.mbn
<ID:0/004> NAND Write Start!!
<ID:0/004> FAIL! (Auth)
<ID:0/004>
<ID:0/004> Complete(Write) operation failed.
<OSM> All threads completed. (succeed 0 / failed 1)
Does anyone know why it would tell me this?
it has a large red "FAIL!" on the top.
I am on a Galaxy s5 from att
<OSM> Leave CS..
<ID:0/004> Odin v.3 engine (ID:4)
<ID:0/004>File analysis..
<ID:0/004>SetupConnection..
<ID:0/004>Can't open the serial(COM) port.
<OSM> All threads completed. (succeed 0/failed 1)
did anyone try to do it on G906 ?
i have G906L and i want to downgrade .
im on LP 5.0.1 now
please if anyone have tried it on this version let me know .. thanks alot
after waiting hours for the firware to download. i tried to unzip the file but it says that its "empty" or corrupted -__-
Try downloading it again. For my case, I've downloaded the firmware from SAMMOBILE. It took me about 6hrs to complete the download. Just make sure you have a stable internet connection. Luckily, there's no any problem with the firmware...
Thank you so much!!! I've followed your instructions step by step, and presto just a little bit over 5mins after pressing start button, it's kit-kat once again. So happy it works for me without any hassle. I'm actually a bit tense while waiting for the outcome, since I have some doubts after reading some other blogs, that it could result bricking your phone and its not possible without rooting it first. Thank you!!!
please some one can send me the official rom of my galaxy s5 SM G900H the 4.4 kitkat i try to download it but no way so if some one have it please send it to me this is my email emilerogerelah@gmail.com. Thank again i'm waiting for you
worked for me as well
indian version
no knox tripped
and had to factory reset although
when it stucked in boot loop
thanks
I love android 5.0 lollipop and I Luke the display but the problem is that I can't root it so I'm going to downgrade it
Will this work for the at&t s5 I upgraded to lollipop 5.0 and hate it
I just downgrade my Samsung S5 now from lollipop to KitKat 4.4.2 by following the instructions and it worked for me mine finished within 4 mins then It stocked in Samsung logo when auto restarting then i do factory reset and everything was Ok ,Glad battery do not drain again.
i finally have a better solution to downgrade, i posted it on youtube. just search on youtube: How i downgraded my Android Samsung S5 to Kitkat 4 - No Root! No notification! KNOX + warranty!
one more thing when ur stock in samsung logo just reset to factory setting and boom android kikat...theres a guide above on how to reset factory setting.click the link
thanks for this my s5 now is back to kitkat....to all just follow the instruction...and it will be success thanks luckily we have the same model number...and I download and installed the same firmware in the example above
How long is this supposed to take? I've been waiting for more than an hour now. Thanks.
mine almost 1 hour
did everything as you mentioned above.After odin3 said PASS and i done factory reset (wiped all data) but still its in Android lolipop :( i'd also downloaded right firmware of my device SM-G900H within my country name :( Please help me
did you find the right firmware for your model?and extracted the same as example above?
This did not work on my ATT Gs5 after several tries. Thanks anyway.
I have followed all the instructions and downloaded the firmware for my phone, downloaded current Odin and inserted the firmware file. Nothing has come up in the "ID COM:" window. Does this matter? Can I proceed with it remaining empty?
samsung driver is missing
I have downgraded my S5 to 4.4.2 successfully. Just want to mention that: maybe your phone stick on Sumsung Logo page, after you installed frameware successfully. I do Reset Factory and then everything was OK.
I followed all instructions and my phone is stuck at the Verizon logo upon booting. Clearing the cache didn't work. Is there any other way to get past this without a factory reset? Also, will factory resetting take me back to Lollipop if that's what came with the phone when I bought it?
It will stay with lollipop and you will be very agitated with it
Gee Damian Gates, that was helpful. Retard. Jim Damonay - it's normal to get "stuck" in that verizon logo loop. Just give it time.
i have galaxy s4.upgrade lollipop from kitkat.can this method apply my phone.firmware dnt download when i try.plzzzz help me i am so worry
WTF are you trying to say? If you're going to communicate in English, do it coherently, please.
My model number is SM-G900I but it doesn't come up when I go to Download the Galaxy S5 firmware for my particular model, it doesn't find my model. Can anyone help me?
If you type g900i in the search box in the firmware page, it should be on the drop-down box
This did not work for me. I followed all of the instructions and each time my phone just reboots running lolipop again. I don't know why it's not working. Someone please help me get back to kitkat!
Clearly, you did NOT follow the all the instructions, or this would have worked. It's a really, really simple process. Try again.
just follow every steps...mine is totally fine....
Is this works on galaxy s4 too??? Tnx
Is this works? Are you kidding? Try "DOES THIS WORK"
is there a trick to the sammobile site or something??? sorta seems like a joke that it offers free downloads but then everything requires you to be a premium member. anyone have another website with firmware for free???
The premium prompt pops up once after you click on the confirmation URL in your mail, but it's not required. You can just continue to surf the site and download for free, but do note that free members download at a VERY slow rate.
Hi Kris.
Just loaded 5.0 :'( & absolutely hate it. I have yet to find a feature that I like. I'm a bit anxious about attempting this downgrade & have a few questions.
Will this method work with a Galaxy Note 3?
Does this method mean rooting my phone?
Does it matter what firmware I load so long as it matches my phone? There seems to be a version available for every country. I'm in Australia, however the recent V5.0 upgrade on my phone seems to be the Hong Kong version. Will it matter if I downgrade to V4.4.2- Australia or should I downgrade to V4.4.2 Hong Kong? What's the difference?
If everything goes to plan, how long should it take?
If I have to do a factory reset, will the phone revert back to the version installed when purchased?
Thank you
Cionn
hi all,
i recently have downgraded though above mathod and it works perfect but there is one issue that when i rebooted my device it automatically starts downlading new software updates which is almost 990MB.
i tried to wipe and rebooted but everytime it starts it self and the notification is not being removed from the notification pannel.
does anyone know that how can i get rid off of this thing?
please help. thanks
Hope you had already fixed this, if not, try to disconnect wifi and uncheck Auto update in Settings/Software update before rebooting. Maybe it'd help.
Can't download firmware?
go to sammobile.com and you will find all compatible firmwares there.
Reverted back to KitKat 4.4.2 and yes a boot loop and most will have to remove battery and back to factory, but the process is easy (back up) and the outcome is worthwhile:
Less battery drain
Less glitchy
Memory increased dramatically
Performance improved
Little tip for those doing this - when starting up again make sure the wifi is not connected before you go in and de-select auto software update as it generally reverts back to that starting and auto update to latest firmware
Overall experience good and not moving to lollipop until some stability and reliability is delivered from Samsung and the new platform
i did the same but everytime im restarting it starts updating it self.
I have a Smasung galaxy s5 SM-G900H OCTA CORE VERSION. I am running lollipop and having heating issue with the phone . Can i downgrade it to kitkat 4.4.2 . The device will not get bricked right ? . My warranty will be void or it will be ok just as it is
Don't worry!You just need to find the correct firmware and flash it with Odin.But remember to back up because you'll likely be in a bootloop and have to wipe data.Once all of that's done,enjoy good old kitkat.As for the warranty part,I don't no so sorry.
warranty will be voided because samsang is instructing not to downgrade but yeah it works perfect.
Cannot believe I am running Kitkat again! Actually, I cannot believe I am using a functioning phone! No more overheating issues, no more constant app crashes (heck, even the actual OS used to crash with Lollipop) , and most importantly, i can charge my phone and rest assured that it'll last me at least 16 hours of usage as opposed to 4 hours with Lollipop. I'm so thankful to be back on Kitkat after following these steps, everything work great! My phone did however get hung up in a loop on the Verizon screen during the reboot process but it was still worth doing a factory reset after seeing how amazing my phone is again. I was ready to call up Verizon to ask for 2 months of reimbursement since my phone was barely functioning. I backed up my important things using different clouds. I use the Memo app by Samsung a lot so that was all backed up on the Samsung cloud along with my pedometer and exercise records. My pictures are always backed up every night to a cloud I have on OneDrive by Microsoft so you can do that or use another cloud system. Contacts were saved on Google's system as always and my text messages were saved on Verizon's Cloud (up to 90 days only). Overall, didn't lose much and if I did lose anything, it wasn't important if I didn't previously back it up. Always keep things backed up because you never know when your phone might malfunction or simply get lost.
Really, if you had these many issues with Lollipop, something is wrong with your phone, not the OS. I have the same phone, with Lollipop and almost everything you mentioned I never had an issue with. A word from the wise - never upgrade any device's operating system. ALWAYS clean install. I bet you would have had a much better experience that way.
I don't believe this, it worked flawless! Back on KitKat! I'm so happy, this is my first time doing anything like this and I got it done in less than 5 minutes. I never want to go back to lollipop ever again! I got scared since I was at the boot menu showing Tmobile for some time. Did a factory reset and I was good to go. Thanks so much for this guide Kris Carlon. You the man!
Lollipop on the S5 is terrible. I hate the white theme which replaced the efficient black one on the OLED screen. My phone is slow an laggy and the battery only lasts 12 hrs, I used to get 20 hrs. I did do a factory reset before. New is not necessarily better. I'm going to downgrade now.
Same here, worked fine.. except that I can't receive or send any text messages!!!?
This worked well. Lollipop screwed my phone up royally, I am so glad to be back on KitKat. Unfortunately, I wound up having to do a factory reset, but that's OK because I backed everything up. Or so I thought. Helium only gave me the option of backing up to "Internal Storage." I went with that, and it mentioned being backed up to my PC, so I proceeded with the revert to KitKat. When I had everything completed and went to restore, it turns out the backup had not gone to my PC, it went to the phone's internal storage. I'm SOL (shit-outta-luck) but I'm writing this so others can either avoid Helium, or figure out a way to be sure the backup goes to the PC. I read on a forum about Helium that the PC option is in the overflow menu (the three vertical dots) but I went back to the Helium app on my phone, and checked that out; I'm pretty sure that's for restoration, not backup.
Also, has anyone done this and some time down the road wound up with the phone trying to update to Lollipop again?
Thanks.
I reinstalled KitKat and had to do a couple updates, restarted my phone and the Lollipop update automatically started downloading. Looks like I will have to revert back to kitkat everytime I restart my phone or if it dies.
Great. But, any info on how to do this when you have an SM-G900T (T-Mobile)?? The link to firmware versions doesn't include this model.
Google the model number, thats what I did. I wish I could send you the file. I have Tmobile as well.
All of the firmwares are here: sammobile.com. Do a search for SM-G900T inside of the website
Thank you so much for the detailed directions above, it worked brilliantly. I was ready to throw my phone across the room with all the problems I was having with lollipop.
Thanks also for the troubleshooting at the end, my phone wouldn't reboot fully, tried clearing the cache with no luck but doing a factory reset did it.
I tried this and followed the directions and i got a fail. I downloaded the correct firmware for my S5 G900A, and followed the direction strictly. Am I missing something? please help me.
Followed steps listed above to get my phone back to KitKat and everything worked great. Unfortunately it got stuck on the red Verizon screen and the only way to get it to boot was to do a complete factory wipe as the article said and that worked. However, when I tried restoring my phone from the backup I made with Samsung Kies, most of it worked except It wouldn't restore my apps! I couldn't check the box for the apps because it was grayed out. When I hovered over the box the message it gave was "can't restore to different device".
Does anyone know why this is and how to fix it?
Thanks
Ok, I'm desperate, I've followed your instructions exactly, accept Odin will not download the firmware. Here's what it says exactly:
<ID:0/004> Odin v.3 engine (ID:4)..
<ID:0/004> File analysis..
<ID:0/004> SetupConnection..
<ID:0/004> Initialzation..
<ID:0/004> Get PIT for mapping..
<ID:0/004> Firmware update start..
<ID:0/004> SingleDownload.
<ID:0/004> aboot.mbn
<ID:0/004> NAND Write Start!!
<ID:0/004> FAIL! (Auth)
<ID:0/004>
<ID:0/004> Complete(Write) operation failed.
<OSM> All threads completed. (succeed 0 / failed 1)
What am I doing wrong?
Also, my Galaxy displays this in red:
START [224,1440]
SW REV. CHECK FAIL : fused : 7 . Binary : 6
Mine says:
Mine says:
UDC START
SW REV CHECK FAIL : [aboot]Fused 3 → Binary 1
i really need some help here
I got that too! I am so confused and I dont know whats wrong here.
I am also having issues with it failing, tried other cables and computers issues remain please get me back to kit kat....
SYS REV CHECK FAIL [S] : Refer 2 > Binary 1
Secure Chek Fail : system
Oh an following these steps soft bricks the phone for me each time and I have to take it to Samsung store to get them to put it back to lollipop.
yu could of just downloaded the lollipop firmware even from a softbrick
I'm having issues with it failing...
My model is the (Galaxy S5) G900A and I've gone through every step by the book. Updated my drivers, downloaded Odin 3.09 and everything to no avail.
Silly question: Can I avoid the upgrade?
I've been postponing it for a few days. Now that I've read some reviews, I'd like to stay with kitkat 4.4.4.
How can I stop the upgrade requests?
Thanks, and thank you for the informative blog!
Thanks for this post - extremely useful and it works!. I'm a UK user and the Lollipop update had been driving me mad. Continuous restarts of "contacts" and "google play services". Phone back on Kitkat now and so much better. Many thanks again. Now i have to go and do the same on my girlfriend's S5!
i got Odin from android.gs as the other link didn't work for me
Thanks for the advice to find Odin on android.gs as the link didn't work for me either
Nicely done.:)
is there a tweak to change the stupid white menus to black ?
I don't have a computer right now is there a way to do this with out using a computer?
Does this procedure mean my fone will get rooted & won't be covered under warranty any longer?
I did all that Odin recognised my phone but when I clicked the AP there was nothing no zip files, what did i do wrong? I hate Lollipop
Won't knox counter void by downgrading ?
can i try this with galaxy s4
the procedure is same.. But be sure to select the right firmware
I did a factory reset on my phone. Yet, it kept the Lollipop update. It did not go back to the 4.4.4. Any clue why it would do that?
factory reset will not restore old firmware.. you need to re-flash with correct 4.4.4 firmware
Almost did the same thing as Julie Zaretsky-Creiner. My anti virus came up as it being a Trojan as well. Be careful which one you download!!
Be careful, there's a Trojan out there masquerading as Odin. The link in this article did not work, so I googled it and downloaded a trojan that my AV fortunately caught.
It was an .exe file that was the trojan, called 'Odin v3.20.6.exe'.
The correct Odin file is called 'Odin3_v3.09.zip'
I have done this and am over the moon to be back on kitkat. Apps kept crashing on lollipop, absolute nightmare.
I thought I would share a few tips I found by trial and error whilst downgrading:
1) Be careful which firmware you download. Google them first. Make sure they are compatible with your country and model and also that they are actually on kitkat. Samsung are changing them all to lollipop so you need to be quick! I recommend G900FXXU1ANG9 from the Samsung site (it's great on my unlocked UK model anyway). I'd also recommend 7zip for unpacking the zip file.
2) Before downgrading go into apps on your phone settings. Find Samsung link platform and disable it or it will automatically re-download lollipop.
3) Before downgrading go to settings>about device>software update and untick automatic update.
4) If you are forced to factory reset your phone whilst downgrading due to boot loop (see end of article above), complete steps 2) and 3) before turning on the phone internet.
5) As a precaution, when you have turned on phone internet after rebooting, go to settings in Google app store asap and tick box not to auto-update apps.
6) As a further precaution I have disabled any non-essential apps which look as though they might do a similar job to the Samsung Link Platform!
7) If all this fails and lollipop starts downloading again, not to worry. Simply repeat steps 2) to 6) then run Odin again as per article above without factory resetting the phone. You'll get there eventually!
Hope this saves someone a bit of time by learning from my mistakes!
I am keeping a copy of the kitkat firmware in case I need it again in future as soon only lollipop will be available on the Samsung website.
(And one last thing. If you use the firmware I mention, it comes with one test song in the music app. You need to delete it as it is a corrupt file and will keep crashing the music app!)
Thanks for this extra detail - extremely useful. I'm a UK user and the Lollipop update had been driving me mad. Continuous restarts of "contacts" and "google play services". Phone back on Kitkat now and so much better. No doubt Google/Samsung will sort Lollipop out in a while but I'm amazed how they can release such a lousy piece of software - the forums are full of complaints and this is one of the few threads that contained useful advice that WORKS (rather than just "cleaning the cache".) Again, many thanks for posting.
I've been running stock lollipop since November and haven't got or had any issues or problems that the people and these forum's are posting and complaining/moaning about, it feels smoother, faster, better performance with great battery life "better than it was on KitKat" a slight lag with nova launcher but that's not really noticeable and is liveable, the only thing I don't like is the lollipop iOS style bright/light/white backgrounds but that's not a problem anymore as I'm running a custom 5.0.2 ROM, R.I.P KitKat 😊
Just did it last night. Works 100%
Downgrade? I still wish I could upgrade!
does this really do it I mean as far as I know when we updated to Lollipop the bootloader got updated and the new bootloader doesn't allow downgrade
i heard this to .. im on marshmellow but if it really works id love to downgrade back to kitkat